With the new SLS AMG
Coupé Electric Drive, Mercedes-AMG is entering a new era: the
locally emission-free super sports car featuring advanced technology
from the world of Formula 1 is the most exclusive and dynamic way in
which to drive an electric car. The most powerful AMG
high-performance vehicle of all time has four electric motors
producing a total output of 552 kW and a maximum torque of 1000 Nm.
As a result, the gullwing model has become the world's fastest
electrically-powered series production vehicle: the SLS AMG Coupé
Electric Drive accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

A new dimension of
driving performance – a convincing synonym for the AMG brand promise
are the outstanding driving dynamics which come courtesy of AMG
Torque Dynamics as well as torque distribution to individual wheels,
which is made possible by means of wheel-selective all-wheel drive.
The most "electrifying" gullwing model ever has been developed
in-house by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The high-voltage battery for the SLS
AMG Coupé Electric Drive is the result of cooperation between
Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in
Brixworth (GB). This is an area in which the British Formula 1
experts were able to contribute their extensive know-how with KERS
hybrid concepts.

"The SLS AMG Coupé
Electric Drive is setting new standards for cars with electric
drives. As the most powerful gullwing model ever, it is also
representative of the enduring innovational strength of Mercedes-AMG.
Our vision of the most dynamic electric vehicle has become a
reality. With the help of our colleagues at Mercedes AMG High
Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, we are bringing exciting
advanced technology from the world of Formula 1 to the road",
according to Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of
Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Pioneering, visionary,
electrifying: the powerful and locally emission-free super sports
car with electric drive also embodies the development competence of
Mercedes-AMG GmbH. With this innovative and unique drive solution,
AMG - as the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz - is demonstrating
its technological leadership in this segment. The SLS AMG Coupé
Electric Drive is aimed at technology-minded super sports car fans
who are open to new ideas and enthusiastic about ambitious high-tech
solutions for the future of motoring.

Enormous thrust thanks to 1000 Nm
of torque

The pioneering drive
package in the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is impressive and
guarantees a completely innovative and electrifying driving
experience: enormous thrust comes courtesy of four synchronous
electric motors providing a combined maximum output of 552 kW and
maximum torque of 1000 Nm. The very special gullwing model
accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and can reach a
top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). The agile response
to accelerator pedal input and the linear power output provide pure
excitement: unlike with a combustion engine, the build-up of torque
is instantaneous with electric motors – maximum torque is
effectively available from a standstill. The spontaneous build-up of
torque and the forceful power delivery without any interruption of
tractive power are combined with completely vibration-free engine
running characteristics.

The four compact
permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors, each weighing 45 kg,
achieve a maximum individual speed of 13,000 rpm and in each case
drive the 4 wheels selectively via a axially-arranged transmission
design. This enables the unique distribution of torque to individual
wheels, which would normally only be possible with wheel hub motors
which have the disadvantage of generating considerable unsprung
masses.

Powerful, voluminous,
dynamic, emotional and authentic: the characteristic sound of the
SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive embodies the sound of the 21st century.
After an elaborate series of tests as well as numerous test drives,
the AMG experts have created a sound which captures the exceptional
dynamism of this unique super sports car with electric drive.
Starting with a characteristic start-up sound, which rings out on
pressing the "Power" button on the AMG DRIVE UNIT, the occupants can
experience a tailor-made driving sound for each driving situation:
incredibly dynamic when accelerating, subdued when cruising and as
equally characteristic during recuperation. The sound is not only
dependent on road speed, engine speed and load conditions, but also
reflects the driving situation and the vehicle's operating state
with a suitable driving noise. Perfect feedback for the driver is
guaranteed thanks to a combination of the composed sound, the use of
the vehicle's existing inherent noises and the elimination of
background noise – this is referred to by the experts as "sound
cleaning". The impressive sound comes courtesy of the standard sound
system with eleven loudspeakers.

Advanced Formula 1 technology:
high-voltage lithium-ion battery

Battery efficiency,
performance and weight: in all three areas Mercedes-AMG is setting
new standards. The high-voltage battery in the SLS AMG Coupé
Electric Drive boasts an energy content of 60 kWh, an electric load
potential of 600 kW and weighs 548 kg – all of which are absolute
best values in the automotive sector. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion
high-voltage battery features a modular design and a maximum voltage
of 400 V.

Advanced technology and
know-how from the world of Formula 1 have been called on during both
the development and production stages: the battery is the first
result of the cooperation between Mercedes-AMG GmbH in Affalterbach
and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd. Headquartered in
Brixworth in England, the company has been working closely with
Mercedes-AMG for a number of years. F1 engine experts have benefited
from its extensive expertise with the KERS hybrid concept, which
made its debut in the 2009 Formula 1 season. At the Hungarian Grand
Prix in 2009, Lewis Hamilton achieved the first historic victory for
a Formula 1 vehicle featuring KERS hybrid technology in the form of
the Mercedes-Benz KER System. Mercedes AMG High Performance
Powertrains supplies the Formula 1 teams MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS,
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Sahara Force India with Mercedes V8
engines and the KERS.

The high-voltage battery
consists of 12 modules each comprising 72 lithium-ion cells. This
optimised arrangement of a total of 864 cells has benefits not only
in terms of best use of the installation space, but also in terms of
performance. One technical feature is the intelligent parallel
circuit of the individual battery modules – this helps to maximise
the safety, reliability and service life of the battery. As in
Formula 1, the battery is charged by means of targeted recuperation
during deceleration whilst the car is being driven.

High-performance control as well
as effective cooling of all components

A high-performance
electronic control system converts the direct current from the
high-voltage battery into the three-phase alternating current which
is required for the synchronous motors and regulates the energy flow
for all operating conditions. Two low-temperature cooling circuits
ensure that the four electric motors and the power electronics are
maintained at an even operating temperature. A separate
low-temperature circuit is responsible for cooling the high-voltage
lithium-ion battery. In low external temperatures, the battery is
quickly brought up to optimum operating temperature with the aid of
an electric heating element. In extremely high external
temperatures, the cooling circuit for the battery can be
additionally boosted with the aid of the air conditioning. This also
helps to preserve the overall service life of the battery system.

Quick charge function via special
wall box

Ideally the SLS AMG
Coupé Electric Drive is charged with the aid of a so-called wall
box. Installed in a home garage, this technology provides a 22 kW
quick-charge function, which is the same as the charging performance
available at a public charging station. A high-voltage power cable
is used to connect the vehicle to the wall box, and enables charging
to take place in around three hours. Without the wall box, charging
takes around 20 hours. The wall box is provided as an optional extra
from Mercedes-AMG in cooperation with SPX and KEBA, two suppliers of
innovative electric charging infrastructures for the automotive
industry.

Eight-stage design for maximum
safety

To ensure maximum
safety, the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive makes use of an eight-stage
safety design. This comprises the following features:
1. all high-voltage cables are colour-coded in orange to prevent
confusion
2. comprehensive contact protection for the entire high-voltage
system
3. the lithium-ion battery is liquid-cooled and accommodated in a
high-strength aluminium housing within the carbon-fibre
zero-intrusion cell
4. conductive separation of the high-voltage and low-voltage
networks within the vehicle and integration of an interlock switch
5. active and passive discharging of the high-voltage system when
the ignition is switched to "off"
6. in the event of an accident, the high-voltage system is switched
off within fractions of a second
7. continuous monitoring of the high-voltage system for short
circuits with potential compensation and insulation monitors
8. redundant monitoring function for the all-wheel drive system with
torque control for individual wheels, via several control units
using a variety of software

By using this design,
Mercedes-AMG ensures maximum safety during production of the vehicle
and also during maintenance and repair work. Of course the SLS AMG
Coupé Electric Drive also meets all of the statutory and internal
Mercedes crash test requirements.

Four motors, four wheels
– the intelligent and permanent all-wheel drive of the SLS AMG Coupé
Electric Drive guarantees driving dynamics at the highest level,
while at the same time providing the best possible active safety.
Optimum traction of the four driven wheels is therefore ensured,
whatever the weather conditions. According to the developers, the
term "Torque Dynamics" refers to individual control of the electric
motors, something which enables completely new levels of freedom to
be achieved. The AMG Torque Dynamics feature is permanently active
and allows for selective distribution of forces for each individual
wheel. The intelligent distribution of drive torque greatly benefits
driving dynamics, handling, driving safety and ride comfort. Each
individual wheel can be both electrically driven and electrically
braked, depending on the driving conditions, thus helping to

AMG Torque Dynamics
enables optimum use of the adhesion potential between the tyres and
the road surface in all driving conditions. The technology allows
maximum levels of freedom and as such optimum use of the critical
limits of the vehicle's driving dynamics. Outstanding handling
safety is always assured thanks to the two-stage Electronic
Stability Program ESP®.

"AMG Lightweight Performance"
design strategy

The trailblazing body
shell structure of the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is part of the
ambitious "AMG Lightweight Performance" design strategy. The battery
is located within a carbon-fibre monocoque which forms an integral
part of the gullwing model and acts as its "spine". The monocoque
housing is firmly bolted and bonded to the aluminium spaceframe
body. The fibre composite materials have their roots in the world of
Formula 1, among other areas. The advantages of CFRP (carbon-fibre
reinforced plastic) were exploited by the Mercedes-AMG engineers in
the design of the monocoque. These include their high strength,
which makes it possible to create extremely rigid structures in
terms of torsion and bending, excellent crash performance and low
weight. Carbon-fibre components are up to 50 percent lighter than
comparable steel ones, yet retain the same level of stability.
Compared with aluminium, the weight saving is still around 30
percent, while the material is considerably thinner. The weight
advantages achieved through the carbon-fibre battery monocoque are
reflected in the agility of the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive and, in
conjunction with the wheel-selective four-wheel drive system, ensure
true driving enjoyment. The carbon-fibre battery monocoque is, in
addition, conceived as a "zero intrusion cell" in order to meet the
very highest expectations in terms of crash safety. It protects the
battery modules inside the vehicle from deformation or damage in the
event of a crash.

The basis for CFRP
construction is provided by fine carbon fibres, ten times thinner
than a human hair. A length of this innovative fibre reaching from
here to the moon would weigh a mere 25 grams. Between 1000 and
24,000 of these fibres are used to form individual strands. Machines
then weave and sew them into fibre mats several layers thick, which
can be moulded into three-dimensional shapes. When injected with
liquid synthetic resin, this hardens to give the desired structure
its final shape and stability.

Optimum weight distribution and
low centre of gravity

The purely electric
drive system was factored into the equation as early as the concept
phase when the super sports car was being developed. It is ideally
packaged for the integration of the high-performance, zero-emission
technology: by way of example, the four electric motors and the two
transmissions can be positioned as close to the four wheels as
possible and very low down in the vehicle. The same applies to the
modular high-voltage battery. Advantages of this solution include
the vehicle's low centre of gravity and balanced weight distribution
– ideal conditions for optimum handling, which the
electrically-powered gullwing model shares with its petrol-driven
sister model.

New front axle design with pushrod
damper struts

The additional
front-wheel drive called for a newly designed front axle: unlike the
series production vehicle with AMG V8 engine, which has a double
wishbone axle, the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive features an
independent multi-link suspension with pushrod damper struts. This
is because the vertically-arranged damper struts had to make way for
the additional drive shafts. As is usual in a wide variety of racing
vehicles, horizontal damper struts are now used, which are operated
via separate push rods and transfer levers. Thanks to this
sophisticated front-axle design, which has already been tried and
tested in the world of motorsport, the agility and driving dynamics
of the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive attain the same high levels as
the V8 variant. Another distinguishing feature is the
speed-sensitive power steering with rack-and-pinion steering gear:
the power assistance is implemented electrohydraulically rather than
just hydraulically.

AMG ceramic composite brakes for
perfect deceleration

The SLS AMG Coupé
Electric Drive is slowed with the aid of AMG high-performance
ceramic composite brakes, which boast direct brake response, a
precise actuation point and outstanding fade resistance, even in
extreme operating conditions. The over-sized discs – measuring 402 x
39 mm at the front and 360 x 32 mm at the rear – are made of carbon
fibre-strengthened ceramic, feature an integral design all round and
are connected to an aluminium bowl in a radially floating
arrangement.
The ceramic brake discs are 40 percent lighter in weight than the
conventional, grey cast iron brake discs. The reduction in unsprung
masses not only improves handling dynamics and agility, but also
ride comfort and tyre grip. The lower rotating masses at the front
axle also ensure a more direct steering response – which is
particularly noticeable when taking motorway bends at high speed.

Exclusive, high-quality design and
appointments

Visually, the
multi-award-winning design of the SLS AMG is combined with a number
of specific features which are exclusive to the Electric Drive
variant. The front apron has a striking carbon-look CFRP front
splitter which generates downforce on the front axle. The radiator
grille and adjacent air intakes adorn special areas painted in the
vehicle colour and with bionic honeycomb-shaped openings. They are
not only a visual highlight but, thanks to their aerodynamically
optimised design, also improve air flow over the cooling modules
mounted behind them. Darkened headlamps also impart a sense of
independence to the front section. Viewed from the side, the
"Electric Drive" lettering stands out on the vehicle side, as do the
AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with their specific paint
design. The SLS AMG Electric Drive comes as standard with 265/35 R
19 tyres on the front and 295/30 R 20 tyres on the rear. The overall
look is rounded off to dynamic effect by the new diffuser-look rear
apron, and the darkened rear lamps. One feature reserved exclusively
for the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is the "AMG electricbeam magno"
matt paint finish. A choice of five other colours is available at no
extra cost.

When the exterior colour
AMG electricbeam magno is chosen, the high-quality, sporty interior
makes use of this body colour for the contrasting stitching – the
stitching co-ordinates perfectly with designo black Exclusive
leather appointments. AMG sports seats and numerous carbon-fibre
trim elements in the interior underscore the exclusive and dynamic
character of what is currently the fastest electric car. Behind the
new AMG Performance steering wheel there is a newly designed AMG
instrument cluster: instead of a rev counter, there is a power
display providing information on the power requirements,
recuperation status, transmission modes and battery charge.

AMG Performance Media as standard

The AMG DRIVE UNIT
comprises the electronic rotary switch for selecting the three
transmission modes of "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport) and
"S+" (Sport plus), which the driver can use to specify different
performance levels from the electric motors, which in turn also
changes the top speed and accelerator pedal response. Behind the
buttons for "power" and "ESP On/Off", there are also buttons for AMG
Torque Dynamics and AMG Setup.